paul_gardener

<p>Similar to the service center in the UK service for V series cameras in Germany is now in the hands of Ulf Kühn a long time technician with Hasselblad Germany.</p>

<p>Service for V series is now concentrated in Sweden for as long as it will last.<br>

Lets count our blessings, Hasselblad still supplies parts for the last generation of bodies and lenses.<br>

Prices for parts have gone up dramatically, some parts are twice the old price now.</p>

About 7 years to comment on whose post anyway.

This does not make sense.

The difference between AM and AM D screens is quite clear.

Both are a great help to focus.

<p>Just tried to contact Mr. Knapman by email.<br>

The email was returned, email address no longer valid.<br>

This seems to be bad news.<br>

No actual information about Mr. Knapman or his repair activities. </p>

<p>Although late I would like to add that David Knapman personally asked me not to make his email address public.<br>

As it is Mr. Knapman has more than enough work to do.<br>

He does not answers emails, his wife handles that part of the business. </p>

<p>There is an excellent film about George Hurrell and the way he operated to make those glamorous images.<br>

It has been mentioned here before, George used a fairly simple set up which is misleading. He knew every trick in the book to make his models look good.<br>

Taking great pictures of models is more than hardware and technique. It is about communication and trust between the model and the photographer. All models knew they were in save hands with George.<br>

In the film Kim Bassinger is being photographed by George Hurrell.<br>

His MO seems easy to copy but please note it is the result of many years experience.<br>

Lighting? A couple of medium power fresnel spots.<br>

Camera? A large formate model loaded with slow film.<br>

His negatives were retouched by hand, no photoshop in those days.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hello Mervyn,</p>

<p>You make things much more complicated than they are.<br>

Simply lift the metal cover of the clip, it is kept in place by a small spring, and slide the clip from the pillar.<br>

Keep the strap part to the left, lift the clipcover and slide the clip to the right.<br>

It is more difficult to explain this than the action you have to take.</p>

<p>No need to risk your finger nails.<br>

Simply lift the cover from the metal part away from the body and slide the strap off the pillar.<br>

You can down load a free copy of the user manual at <a href="http://www.hasselblad.com">www.hasselblad.com</a>.<br>

The manual answers this and a lot of other questions.<br>

Before you get acces to the downloads you are asked to register the product you are using.</p>

<p>I would recommend invest in the current body with a replacement mirror rather than buying another 500 CM with unknown service history.<br>

500CM bodies are between 20 and 40 years old. A number of these cameras have seen several years of hard professional use. </p>

<p>Most of the V series cameras for sale need at least a good CLA.<br>

Just bought two 503CW bodies, a 1997 and a 2000 year one. Both were in need of new gears etc.<br>

After a full reconditioning service these bodies are as good as new but at a cost of 470 USD each.<br>

It is unrealistic to expect cameras that are likely to have a high mileage to perform faultlessly.</p>

<p>Sounds like the body is stuck in sensor cleaning mode.</p>

<p>There are users that simply want the IQ only MF or larger format cameras can give.<br>

Nothing against the Nicans of this world, they have their own specific applications and qualities.<br>

MF be it film or digital is a different tool for imaging.</p>

<p>Recent bodies like the 501CM and the 503CW can be found for reasonable prices, hardly more than the older models go for.<br>

Hence my advice to look for a recent body and lens.<br>

That means less chance of problems or costly repairs. </p>

<p>Production of the 500C started in 1957. The successor of the 500C came in 1970.<br>

Quite often these cameras have seen a hard life in the hands of professional photographers.<br>

Keep a budget for a good service of your new camera and lens(es)<br>

Even better: forget about these 50+ year old cameras and look for a more recent one like the 501CM or the 503CW. <br>

Same goes for lenses, forget the C series and look for CF or even better CFE/i versions.</p>

<p>Hasselblad uses the same Carl Zeiss designed lens for 2000 and 200 series bodies.<br>

The 110/2 lens is known to have problems with its shutter blades.<br>

Carl Zeiss modified the blades for later samples of this lens.<br>

In case of problems all blades need to be replaced by the later improved version.<br>

Service and parts for these lenses are only available from Hasselblad in Sweden.<br>

Carl Zeiss stopped supply of parts and service over a year ago.<br>

Rollei? The company went bankrupt two years ago.</p>

<p>Hasselblad focal plane cameras are complicated pieces of equipment.<br>

It took experienced and qualified technicians four days of training at the factory to understand the basics of 2000 series cameras.<br>

After a minimum of 1 year experience servicing these cameras these guys would say they had some understanding of these bodies.<br>

These cameras are not DIY objects.</p>

<p>@<a href="../photodb/user?user_id=1522918">Lynn Jones</a><br>

I question your first hand experience since you did not notice the hugh improvements of the 1000F body over the first MF Hasselblad camera now known as 1600F.<br>

I use both a 1600F from the second series and several 1000F bodies. The 1600F received a full CLA, both 1000F bodies had seen more use and were completely rebuild.<br>

These days reliability depends largely on the craftsmanship and effort of the repairman who serviced the camera.<br>

A well maintained Hasselblad focal plane camera can be as reliable as a later body from yhe 500 series. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>It seems a number of variables need to be eliminated systematically to come to the bottom of this problem.<br>

What puzzles me is the fact that the A12 film backs did not present this problem.<br>

I can not think of a reason why unless there is some sort of strange coincidence present here.</p>

<p>The screen needs to be aligned with special equipment.<br>

Best advise look for another adapter.<br>

There is one for sale at a certain auction site now.</p>

<p>Some Hasselblad service centers have a special alignment rig to check and correct film plane of V series backs.<br>

Hasselblad USA has this equipment.</p><div></div>

<p>Rashed,</p>

<p>I am sorry a personal thing like an ever increasing number of questions for which the answer can be found in the owners manual of a camera culminated in the response I posted.<br>

I do not feel comfortable between posters who do not take the trouble to read a manual and simply hit forums with that kind of questions.<br>

Manuals can be downloaded free of charge.<br>

Of course this does not concern your question here.</p>

<p>Jeff Grant and Bill Pearce,</p>

<p>Thanks for your kind words and support.<br>

My decision is final.<br>

I wish you all luck and lots of fun with Hasselblad cameras.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I was annoyed that the quality of a great camera system was questioned simply because the person who decided to do so does not understand the laws of physics.<br>

Photo.net has more and more changed into a forum where individuals who have not taken<br>

any trouble to find out what they can themselves ask ignorant questions.<br>

I wish you all luck and will no longer participate here. </p>

<p>Rashed,</p>

<p>Why do you ask questions here when you already know the answer?<br>

Thank you for the invitation to upload images. What do images proof?<br>

Read my other posts if you doubt my expertise. </p>

<p>You buy a new car hit a tree with that car and complain about the quality of the car?<br>

Maybe first try to learn how to drive.</p>

<p>Tropical conditions with high temperatures and high humidity are difficult for any camera gear.<br>

Maybe learn how to handle cameras in tropical conditions before you question the quality of Hasselblad cameras?</p>

<p>The prims needs to know what the largest aperture is of the lens you are using.<br>

A faster lens gives a higher EV reading because light of a higher intensity reaches the screen.</p>